Beyond A Reasonable Stout

Maine State Senator John Patrick recently tried to put the “draught” back in to “drafting legislation” when he proposed a law requiring establishments that sell beer by the pint to...wait for it...actually serve said pint in a glass that holds 16 ounces of liquid. Apparently enough people were being shortchanged a few sips that this created an immediate need for a law. America has a long history of regulating food and beverage issues. Some have worked well and have stuck, like the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906, and others, like the 18th Amendment, not so much.

Unfortunately, Maine Governor Paul LaPage recently vetoed the bill. I’m not sure why the good governor is so afraid of an honest pour. Maybe he fears an influx of beer snobs into rustic Maine. Perhaps he’s a can guy. That Senator Patrick not only wrote a pro beer consumer law, but that it was only one sentence long, tells me this is a man who gets what good government is about. If he doesn’t run on his own, perhaps he should be “draughted” to run in 2016. Anyone interested in forming a committee should meet me at The 21st Amendment, in the shadow of the Massachusetts State House. Named for the law that repealed Prohibition, this was the local bar of choice around the corner from my alma mater, Suffolk Law School. In honor of another great patriot and beer fan, the first round is on me.